Tag Archives: torrid

Don't make him angry! One-time Chelsea target Hulk casts doubt over Zenit future with strop at late substitution

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UPDATED:

00:25 GMT, 5 December 2012

They say you shouldn't make Hulk mad for fear he might turn green and rip his clothes off.

But that was the risk Zenit St Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti took during his side's Champions League win over AC Milan. And it could spell the end of a desperately disappointing stint in Russia for the Brazilian.

The powerful striker was substituted with 10 minutes left at the San Siro but greeted his boss' decision with a monstrous strop which left Spalletti fuming.

Scroll down for video of the exchange between Hulk and Spalletti

Temper temper: Hulk refused his manager's handshake and then gestured angrily towards him after being substituted late on in Zenit's win at AC Milan

After first ignoring his manager's offer a handshake, Hulk then made a crossing action with his arm repeatedly, suggesting that he would not tolerate any more at the club.

Spalletti responded with a cutting stare, shake of the head and finger waving while the player continued his protests.

And afterwards, the player said: 'If situation with Spalletti is not solved, in January I will leave .'

Hulk has endured a torrid time at Zenit since his 39.5million switch from Porto in September.

His arrival sparked an angry reaction from the first team squad, angry at the wages being lavished upon the 26-year-old. So unpopular was the move that captain Igor Denisov went public and earned a demotion to the youth team.

The episode in Italy could reignite Chelsea's interest the player, who was tracked closely by the Premier League giants before he opted for Russia.

Hulk, who also interested Tottenham during the summer, moved to Porto from Japanese side Tokyo Verdy in 2008, grabbing 54 goals in 103 league matches. He has 13 Brazil caps.

Tough times: Hulk is having a torrid spell in Russia since his 39m switch

Zenit's 1-0 win secured a place in the Europa League.

Manager Spalletti said: 'The lads played well and deserved to win even though it was a bit of a nervous game. I'm happy to have qualified and happy with tonight's game as in the past two years we haven't won away from home, even when we've played well.

'I'd like to say a huge thank you to our fans tonight, as even I was stunned at the number who were here. Their number and enthusiasm tonight gives us extra responsibility.

'We have to work hard for them as they deserve it. Maybe a draw would have been a fairer result as we had to defend a lot, but we have to be happy, we're through. We'll try to do better.'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready
to make a shock 10million move for Liverpool's out-of-favour winger
Stewart Downing in the January transfer window.

Wenger was outbid by Liverpool when
he wanted to sign Downing in 2011 as a replacement for Samir Nasri and
now believes he can rescue his career after the England international's
torrid time at Anfield.

On the radar: Liverpool's Stewart Downing (right)

Current Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers does not want Downing, who has lost form and confidence since his 20m switch to Merseyside.

But Wenger is convinced he has the technical ability to fit in at Arsenal and would provide balance to his team on the left flank.

Downing can also play left-back, which has been Arsenal's problem position this season.

Capped 34 times, Downing was hailed as a new Kop hero when signed by Kenny Dalglish following an electric spell with Aston Villa.

But he failed to contribute a Premier League goal or assist in his first season and has been publicly criticised by Rodgers for a lack of work-rate in the current campaign.

Liverpool may try to use Arsenal's interest as currency to land Theo Walcott, who only has six months left on his contract at the Emirates.

Ashley Cole is out of Sunday's match of the weekend against Liverpool – giving Brendan Rodgers some good news at last.

Cole's hamstring has not recovered and he will miss the game, despite Chelsea's hopes he could be fit.

Ryan Bertrand, who had replaced Cole in the England squad for the game against Sweden next week, is expected to deputise.

Cole, wearing heavy strapping on his right hamstring, goes down injured against Swansea

But Bertrand had a torrid time against Shakhtar Donetsk in the week when they exposed his defensive failings and Liverpool will look to do the same, as Luis Suarez looks to continue his explosive form.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is looking for the win that will spark Liverpool's season and will consider the news of Cole's absence a positive one.

Cole stretches for the ball as he is challenged by Swansea's Ashley Williams

Chelsea, however, can point to the fact they won the European Cup with Bertrand in the team.

Cole played at Swansea last week, before missing the Champions League win against the Ukranian league leaders. His absence from the England squad means he is likely to win his 100th cap against Brazil next February.

Cole trained with his Chelsea team mates including Daniel Sturridge earlier this week

The Brazilian left-back was team-mates with Van Persie until the striker's acrimonious departure to Old Trafford during the summer.

Santos endured a torrid time against United and also came under scrutiny for exchanging shirts with the Holland international at half-time of a game in which Arsenal slumped to a 2-1 defeat.

Slammed: Andre Santos (left) was criticised by fans and now his manager after trying to swap shirts with Robin van Persie at half-time during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United

Centre of attention: Santos was in training on Monday ahead of Arsenal's Champions League tie against Schalke

Reports suggested Santos could be dropped from Tuesday's Champions League tie at Schalke as a result but, while angry with the left-back, Wenger was keen to downplay the incident.

'I spoke about that but I don't want to make too much of a big story of that,' the Arsenal boss said.

'I believe that was not the right thing to do at all, but that is not an explanation for our bad performance on Saturday.'

Wenger was not the only one to hit out at Santos after the ill-advised shirt-swapping.

Arsenal fans were furious with the Brazilian's decision to pursue Van Persie, particularly after the defender had delivered a poor performance in the first 45 minutes in Manchester.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour blasted Santos for the incident, and for his defensive abilities.

Ill advised: Santos accosted Robin van Persie at half-time

Controversial: Van Persie left Arsenal for 24million to Manchester United in summer

'That's a joke. I wouldn't have that,' Parlour said in The Sun. 'At half-time he should be concentrating on his game and he was having a nightmare.

'He can't play in a back four as he gets caught out of position all the time.'

Incensed fans also took to Twitter to vent their fury with the left-back.

On Twitter, @LBFutbol wrote: 'Santos shouldn't be allowed to come back on the pitch after that,' while another added, 'Incredible demonstration after that shambles of a 45 minutes from the “defender”.'

Unhappy: Arsene Wenger let Santos know that it was inappropriate to swap shirts with Van Persie before the game was up

Van Persie travelled north in the summer for 24million after refusing Arsenal's offers of a new contract.

The Dutchman took only three minutes to score in his first game against his former club, but refused to celebrate his goal out of respect.

Van Persie said: 'I played at Arsenal for eight years and had a fantastic time. It was out of respect for the fans, players, manager and the whole club.'

And the gesture seemingly resonated with the men in purple and black, with Wenger first shaking hands with the Dutchman at the break, before Santos bounded the length of the pitch to ask for his shirt.

Patrice Evra doubled United's lead after Wayne Rooney had missed a penalty and Santi Cazorla hit a consolation with the last kick of the ball.

Tough task: Arsenal now turn their attentions to Schalke in their bid to progress in the Champions League

Troubled Terry targeted by Valencia in shock January move for Chelsea captain

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UPDATED:

07:53 GMT, 25 October 2012

John Terry has been offered the chance to escape Chelsea and join Valencia in January.

The Blues skipper has endured a torrid time in recent months, having been stripped of the England armband and handed fines from Chelsea and the FA, who also banned him for four matches, for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Terry, 31, is still revered among the Stamford Bridge faithful and has kept the Chelsea captaincy despite the scandal, but has the chance to leave England behind and start again in Spain.

Time to walk away John Terry (right) could be heading for the Chelsea exit

FIFA agent Francois Gallardo claims that Terry has already been offered an 18-month contract at the Mestalla, with the option for another year.

And Gallardo also insists that Terry, whose Chelsea deal expires in 2014, is ready to take up Valencia's offer.

Gallardo told Radio Intereconomia: 'Valencia are negotiating, and I am involved in person, with the signing in the winter transfer market.

'The offer is on his table. The player is out of contract in June and will not renew there for several reasons at Chelsea and he wants to come to Spain.

You should have listened to me! Wenger blasts France over injured Diaby

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UPDATED:

06:29 GMT, 3 October 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is frustrated with Abou Diaby's latest injury and accused the French federation of failing to heed his warning over the player.

The 26-year-old has endured a torrid time with injuries ever since breaking his ankle at Sunderland six years ago and made just five appearances last season.

Diaby had looked back to his best at the start of this campaign and was in splendid form until he was forced off 17 minutes into Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat to Chelsea.

Missing man: Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is out nursing an injury

Listen up: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is annoyed French football officials did not heed his warnings over Diaby

Wenger has revealed the France international now faces three weeks on the sidelines with a thigh strain, which has frustrated the Arsenal boss.

Wenger apportioned some of that blame to his handling by the French national team, claiming he was called up too soon when he played against Finland last month.

'I said many times that if France wanted Diaby in Spain (for the World Cup qualifier on October 16) they should not take him for (the qualifiers against) Finland and Belarus,' he said.

'They could have taken him but not played him because the guy has been out for a year, played four or five games.

'You have a breather, give him two weeks to recover completely. I think it was a mistake to play him with the French national team.'

Wenger added: 'It is as well an opportunity for somebody else to stand up and play but it is a blow, yes,' he said.

'Not only because we lost a good player but because he has qualities that the other players haven't got.

'For example, on Saturday when he moved out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in, takes his position straight away and loses the ball on set-pieces. This is a ball Diaby would have won easily because he has the size.

'We have better balance size-wise and strength as well because he has the power.

Forward planning: Wenger's Arsenal take on Greek outfit Olympiakos at the Emirates on Wednesday evening

'It is really frustrating because once you think you get there it (an injury) happens again.'

Diaby could be joined on the sidelines for Wednesday night's Champions League Group B clash with Olympiakos by Mikel Arteta after the Spaniard suffered an ankle knock against Chelsea.

The former Everton player did not train at London Colney on Tuesday, where four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson watched the session.

After a rollercoaster weekend which saw Europe come from behind to dramatically snatch victory from the United States to retain the Ryder Cup, Sportsmail looks at the individual performances of all 24 players.

Debut: Bradley impressed for the US

USA

K BRADLEY (p4, w3, L1) 8/10Almost out-Poultered Poulter at times with his electrifying intensity. Great debut.

Is this training ground barracking from Rodgers behind Sterling's stunning start to season at Liverpool

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UPDATED:

10:21 GMT, 28 August 2012

He first caught the eye with a man-of-the-match
performance in Liverpool’s Europa League tie with Hearts last week and then
took it a level further by terrorising the Manchester City defence on Sunday.

But could a pre-season dressing down from boss Brendan
Rodgers be behind Raheem Sterling’s outstanding start to the season

A sneak preview of a behind-the-scenes documentary about
Liverpool filmed by American broadcaster Fox shows the 17-year-old on the
receiving end of a barracking from the new Liverpool manager on the club’s
pre-season tour to America.

Scroll down to watch the video

Raheem Sterling gave Manchester City's Kolo Toure a torrid time at Anfield on Sunday

Rodgers singles Sterling out during a training debrief
after the winger interrupts his team talk and tells him he’ll be on the ‘next
plane home’ if he doesn’t listen.

The manager says: 'Your attitude you need to improve and your work. You need to improve your attitude.'

Sterling clearly disagrees and says 'steady' to which Rodgers replies: 'You say 'steady' to me again when I say something to you and you'll be on the first plane back.'

Sterling's protestations of innocence aren't picked up by the microphone, but Rodgers continues: 'You know what you said, I know what you said. You'll be on the first plane back.'

Pointing to some of the senior first teamers, he says: 'You should be like sponges here, learning off these guys here. You're very very fortunate to be here.'

Rodgers then singles out the Academy striker Adam Morgan for praise, adding: 'Make sure when you're here you show the attitude of this kid here who works his socks off, who listens, who learns, and will get his rewards.'

And as the players walk back to the changing rooms
following the session in Boston a month ago, Rodgers makes a bee-line to Sterling
to get an apology.

The fly-on-the-wall footage offers an insight into the
strict Rodgers regime as he tries to bring a new brand of attractive, attacking
football to Anfield.

And the manager was quick to recognise how far Sterling
has progressed after the 2-2 draw with City on Sunday, in which the youngster gave
Kolo Toure a nightmare afternoon.

The documentary is an insight into the authoritarian regime of Brendan Rodgers at Anfield

In an indication of how things have turned full circle,
Rodgers said: ‘I have seen a lot of development in him in a short time. He takes
on a lot of the concepts and he is very good with instructions.

‘Normally wingers want to do their own thing but he is
tactically improving every day. I said when I first came in, I wouldn’t judge
people on their status, on what they are or what they have done, but on what I
see in front of me.

‘He is a young player who has just improved every single
day since I came in here. For a 17-year-old playing against the champions, I
thought his performance was fantastic.’

Liverpool are still searching for their first win of the
Premier League season after losing 3-0 at West Bromwich on the opening day, but
the breakthrough performances of Sterling present Rodgers with a very pleasant selection
dilemma.

The Fox documentary, called ‘Being Liverpool’, will air in
six parts this autumn and promises viewers unique and ‘unprecedented access to
the club, the players and the management team.’ It will be shown by Channel
Five in the UK.